Elk Grove CA vs San Jose CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
San Jose
38.1
San Jose +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Elk Grove +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 38.1 | San Jose + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 34.9% | 29.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Black | 10.9% | 2.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
San Jose
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
San Jose
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 7.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Elk Grove +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
San Jose
56.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $1,452,609 | Elk Grove + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 56.0% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
San Jose
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
San Jose
2388
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
San Jose
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 9.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
San Jose
30.4 min
San Jose +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 30.4 min | San Jose + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while elk Grove offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $637,623. On public safety, San Jose is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
Compare More Cities
Elk Grove, CA vs New York, NYElk Grove, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elk Grove, CAElk Grove, CA vs Houston, TXElk Grove, CA vs Phoenix, AZElk Grove, CA vs Philadelphia, PA